Baker Mayfield out at least three weeks with finger injury; rookie Jalon Daniels to start

Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles has announced that Baker Mayfield will miss at least three weeks after dislocating a finger on his right hand in the 23-16 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. As a result, the team will start rookie Jalon Daniels in Mayfield’s place against the Green Bay Packers on October 4.

As nfl reports, an MRI revealed no ligament or tendon damage to Mayfield’s right finger. The injury happened on a fourth-and-1 in the fourth quarter, when Mayfield was hit by linebacker Blake Cashman while throwing; the pass was intercepted. When he replaced Mayfield, Daniels went 0-for-3 passing with a game-sealing interception, and gained nine yards on one rushing attempt.

Mayfield, 31, signed a three-year, $165 million contract extension five days before the start of the 2026 season. In the first three games of the season he has posted -0.30 EPA per dropback, the lowest among quarterbacks with at least 50 dropbacks, according to Next Gen Stats. Daniels, 23, who went undrafted in April, spent six seasons at Kansas, where he was named captain for four straight seasons, and won the backup job with strong camp performances. The team currently has no other quarterback on the 53-man roster, but has Easton Stick, 31, on the practice squad.

According to nfl, Bowles suggested the earliest Mayfield could return is Week 7, when the Buccaneers visit the Panthers as guests; they host the Packers on October 4.